Billericay The Five Minutes Spare Guide

The Essex Town with a Pilgrim Father’s Connection.

We all want better holidays and that’s a fact. With queues at airports causing widespread delays and with the far-reaching effect of Covid-19 still fresh in our minds, a staycation destination might just be what you need. In true Five Minutes Spare style, we thought it time to review the attractions, history, and other useful things you might find in lesser-known towns and Billericay was next on the list. So if you are looking for a holiday base which is within easy reach of the capital or are a Billericay resident stick around. You might learn more about your town than you previously thought possible.

Let’s launch into the Five Minutes Spare guide. We’ll start with the good old days and launch ourselves forward from there.

The Early Days of Billericay

Billericay has seen human habitation ever since the Middle Stone Age. Historians record the finding of an axe head from this period in Norsey Wood in 1994. During the Neolithic era, houses occupied the Nevendon area of Basildon. Flint skinning knives have come from the area and a flint axe from this time emerged in the 1900s. 1895 excavations of Billericay’s’ Norsey Wood found cremation remains. During the Iron Age, the Trinovantes tribe stayed in this portion of Essex, and they would war with other local tribes until the Romans arrived. An Iron Age bead discovered in 1887 dates to these tribal times.

Archaeologists unearthed Roman remains near the old Roman Way. A Roman Burh emerged near Blunts Wall with a scattering of coins also unearthed. A Roman camp existed in the area of Beauchamp’s School in Wickford. The Romans were thoroughly active in this area. When the Romans left the area, they left behind an abandoned town. The Saxons then moved in but did not settle here. They chose Great Burstead to the south, instead. The parish church was in Great Burstead and this forewent the town of Billericay from being in the Domesday Survey.

The Domesday Survey on nearby Great Burstead recounts a large 118 households. There were 22 villagers, 28 free men, 64 smallholders, and four slaves living here. The land belonged to the exceptionally rich Bishop Odo of Bayeux in 1086, at the time of the survey. It was twenty years after the Normans invaded England. The land was worth 36 pounds.

The Medieval Town

In the 12^th and 13^th centuries, the population of Great Burstead leaked into the surrounding areas. The progress of the population is visible if we look at the parish churches and their spread. In the 12^th century, St Mary the Virgin’s Church opened, as did the All Saints Church in Vange. St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Great Burstead opened in the 1100s. St Peter’s Church of Nevendon opened in the 1200s, and so on.

Papers written in 1291 detail Billericay as Byllyrica. During the 13^th and 14^th centuries, more churches opened. There was St Michaels’ in Bow Gifford, St Nicholas’s, and the Nave of the Holy Cross on Billericay High Street. In the late 1300s, residents of the town joined in the Peasant’s Revolt. This revolution saw the poorer classes attempt to rise up against their feudal lords. They destroyed mills and workers struck back at the employer’s assets. Some of the peasants in Billericay fortified the Norsey Wood and received the death penalty for it.

During the 16^th century, the Holy Cross Church opened its tower and the Great Chalvedon Hall opened at Pitsea. The numbers 57-61 High Street opened, which would go on to be Christopher Martin’s house. In 1582, Agnes Bryant of nearby Great Burstead was accused of being a witch because she had bewitched 20 ‘brewinges of beere’. If you were a woman who knew what plants did, they burned you at the stake. In 1593, a local map shows Southwoode Green for the first time and the Ramsden Bellhouse Ball finished.

Fun Trivia about Billericay, Essex

In this section of the travel and tour guide, we like to stop for a moment and reflect. History is fine, but we would like to know the darker tidings, the funny stories, and the downright scandals that have occurred here. Here’s what we dug up that gives you an idea of what it’s like to live, work, or just visit, Billericay:

• Christopher Martin, leader of The Mayflower’s expedition, lived in the Old Chantry in the high street. The group fled the religious prosecution they experienced during the reign of Henry III.
• There are several suggestions on the etymology of this location. It may have come from Villa Erica, Heather Villa, in Roman times, or from Bellerica, a Latin word meaning ‘Dye house or tan house.’ It may even be the old English name for watercress, Billers, who gave the town its name.
• Up until the 20^th century, the farmers here grew watercress by the bushel load. It’s no wonder they thought the town was named after it.
• Billericay is within the London Basin, only 28 miles from the city. This makes it an ideal commuter town, even if outside sources say it’s a little posh…
• The town sports impressive Georgian architecture because it flourished during the Georgian Era.

And now that we all have a few fun facts under our belts, let’s return our attention to the golden land of Billericay down through the ages.

Billericay in the Industrial Revolution

Wickford, in Rhode Island, became settled as of 1632. Billerica in Massachusetts became settled in 1652. In 1653, judges found Mary Hurst of Nevendon guilty of bewitching a local man. They burned her at the stake because *people* are stupid.

The Five Bells Public House opened in the 1800s and the Ivy Cottage in Southend Road opened in the 1700s. In 1769, the Five Bells Ale House opened. The Refectory in nearby Bowers Gifford followed shortly. The White Hart Public House in Billericay opened in the early 19^th century. Nevendon Hall opened in 1833. Billericay Cricket Club was formed in 1875 with the football club coming later, in 1880. The Great Burstead boarding school followed in 1878 and the Reading Rooms on the High Street opened in 1886. Billericay Station didn’t take passengers until 1889. In 1928, the local windmill blew over in a storm.

Billericay During Modern Times

As of the 27^th of July 1935, the town has fallen under the protection of the Billericay Area Group. This is a branch of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England. The group established itself to protect the local area and preserve its beauty for future generations. The town celebrated the silver jubilee of King George in the same year, planting flowering cherry trees in Sun Corner to mark the occasion. Remember, it is during the Georgian period that the town truly flourished. This event extended two years later when they celebrated his coronation in 1937. This time, the members of the preservation society planted trees in Lake Meadows to mark the occasion.

In 1944, local councillors set out their plans to improve the town over time. In 1948, locals consulted with architects to draw up the 1939-45 war memorial. In 1950, the local council reports there was stiff opposition to the local Hanningfield Reservoir, which eventually opened anyway. The townsfolk planted trees on the green at London Road to commemorate the Festival of Britain.

Local Writer Harry Richman created a history of Billericay and its High Street in 1953, they erected a Mayflower sign the same year. They renamed the green Perry Green in 1957. In 1960 the Cater Museum opened and a Tree Survey revealed the “tree” story of the town. Basildon Council entered negotiations to purchase Norsey Woods. In 1961, the town council replaced the street signs. They had removed them in the war years to confuse potential enemies.

Green Credentials

In the 1960s, the Billericay Bulletin first began. This paper is issued quarterly and laterally became the Newsletter. Tree Preservation Orders issued in 1962 meant that some individual trees in town were now protected. Ornamental trees added to mark the occasion ended up in Norsey Meadow. Large scale housing projects in the 60s also saw more social housing in the area. In 1966 local mapmakers Norman Turner and Alec McGregor created the Billericay Footpath Map. The council opposed Billericay Inner Relief Road Schemes successfully this year. In 1967, they also opposed Stanstead airport, but we all know how that turned out,

Open Spaces in Billericay was published in 1970 and the Billericay Society emerged in 1972. Trees planted at Great Burstead Church in 1974 are still going today. Norsey Woods finally became a public open space in 1976 and the Billericay Walk began the following year. This event was originally meant to mark the queen’s jubilee but became an annual money-raising walk. By 1979 the town also had an annual antique fair. The council planted trees in Tubs n 1980 and began a record of old photographs. The society added daffodils to the train station and placed picnic tables on Laindon Common. In 1984, a 16th-century barn on Chapel Street opened but later burned down.

In 1985, the society cleaned the lettering on the First World War memorial. Traffic surveys throughout the years kept local commuters in check. In the 90s a trust opened for the Old Town Hall, which failed to achieve listed building status. In 1996, a grant modernised the Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals. The late 90s saw signs replaced, ideas requested for Porter’s Lodge, and the addition of roads and transport links.

Over the last twenty years, Billericay has become a centre of shopping, tourism, and local woodlands. It is a conservation town that attracts visitors interested in an all-natural location. It has woodland walks, annual events, and enough charm to get you into bed with a cigarette. Is this your town? If so, you have a lot to be proud of.

Famous People from Billericay

If you live in town or even if you are just passing through, you can expect to bump into some famous faces at least. Here are a few of our favourite Five Minutes Spare famous people from Basildon and Billericay:

• Those poor sailors and refugees on The Mayflower passed through here, though you are unlikely to meet them in the supermarket. Unless you can see ghosts.
• The actor Susan Maddock is from here.
• The Science Fiction writer Neal Asher was born here.
• Francis Bacon – the Francis Bacon – was a Billericay man.
• Footballer Lee Barnard went to school here.

Let’s leave the not-so-pleasant world of celebrities behind us and move on to Billericay’s best bits. What are the attractions here? Let’s find out.

Town Twinning

Billericay was a little late to the twinning party compared to many local towns however it has made up for that by conjoining with three other towns. Two from the United States in 1998 and one from France in 2005. These are:

Fishers, Indiana, the similarly named Billerica, Massachusetts and the attractive French tourist town of Chauvigny.

Best Attractions in Billericay

If you are staying here for a short break, on a staycation, or even if you live here, these are the bits of Billericay that we recommend you don’t miss out on…

Historic sites and Landmarks

Although the mill itself blew down in the mid-1900s, the Mill Meadows are still in operation. This local landmark marks the space where the old mill stood with some beautiful scenery. Hike through the open meadows or enjoy a picnic in this outdoor sun trap. There is free parking nearby. the area has been a designated local nature reserve since 1994. A preservation society runs it, so please give generously.

Galleries and Museums

Not quite a museum but definitely an exhibit that you don’t want to miss, head to the Imperial Bird of Prey Academy to stare in awe at nature in all its flighty forms. This place allows you to gaze at the birds, but also lets you hold out your arm and catch a few – with a falconry glove on, don’t panic. If you’ve always wanted to hold a barn owl or train your own snowy owl, this is the place you come to do it. They have a huge and diverse collection of birds. It’s the top-rated attraction on TA, too, so you know it’s got to be good.

One of the best museums in the area is the Cater Museum. It belongs to the Cater family, who bought it in 1958 in memory of her husband. A local man, he loved the town and its history, so she set up a place to document it in his name. This is where you visit if you want to track your ancestry or find out about the Roman remains that archaeologists found in a field nearby. You can find the museum on the High Street.

Similarly not a museum but definitely a local treasure, you can find all you need in terms of live entertainment and amateur dramatics over at the Billericay Theatre. This location is a favourite in winter for the pantomime season. It presents numerous shows for you to enjoy, so you always ought to check what’s on while you are in town. The theatre is an important part of the town’s cultural history. At one point, during the war years, it would be the only source of Friday and Saturday night entertainment in town. There’s even a café on site so you can quench your thirst between shows.

Sports and Recreation

Not a sport but definitely recreational, you can take the tour of the Billericay Brewery while you are here. This brewing company have operated for generations, providing the town with the beer for the witches to curse or bewitch or whatever. They have a micro-brewery and an online shop if you want to revisit later in life. You will find them on Chapel Street near the local Waitrose.

Head down to Burstead Golf Course if you’d like a few rounds of golf. You will also find the Billericay Golf Club close by too so plenty of choices for those who like to indulge in hitting the wee white ball.

The local football team is Billericay FC whose main claim to fame is being the first team to retain the FA Vase trophy; winning it in 1976 & 1977.  They currently (2021-22) play in the Vanarama National League South.

Outdoor Attractions

Coming to Billericay with kids? One of the fun things to do in town is to head to the Barleylands Farm Park. This is part indoor and outdoor play park, part working farm. Your kids can pet animals, feed babies, and learn about how to take care of things. You can enjoy a nice tea in the coffee shop and a wander around the farm shop, as well as meeting a few goats, sheep, cows, bunnies, and more. It’s no wonder kids can’t get enough of the place. Visit early in the morning to be sure of a place.

Should you prefer a walk around a gorgeous reservoir, head to Henningford Nature Park, instead. As well as foxes, badgers, birds, and bunny rabbits, you will find an excellent bluebell forest here in early May. Their website has a page for watching a bat box online, while they also host birthday parties. The area is associated with the Wind in the Willows, which historians believe was set in this area.

Lastly, check out Norsey Woods. This is the same woodland where they discovered Bronze and Iron age burial mounds back in the 1900s. The Romans had a camp near here, and later, during the peasant’s revolt, local men and women fortified it to fight royal soldiers. Nowadays, this is a lovely area of natural woodland that sports plenty of wildlife for you to enjoy. Take a picnic, have a hike, or bring your bike to enjoy one of the oldest local woodlands in the area. Basildon Council owns the woods but only after a lengthy battle with the old property owner.

Shopping and Retail

You will find the best shopping in Billericay in the town centre. There are cooking shops, there’s an Olive Branch, and there’s Holly Court for extra shopping greatness, too. Stop into Hazel’s pottery barn if you feel creative. They let the kiddies make their own pottery and you stop by and collect it once the shop owner fires it.

Other Notable Attractions in Basildon

If you have stayed in the area for more than a few days, you may want to get active into other places. Here are some of the nearby attractions we couldn’t fit in to write about in greater detail:

• Take the kids down to Lake Meadows. This nicely named place is where you can enjoy a swing park and some bowling.
• Get your posh on by visiting the Stock Brook Country Club
• Visit Reid’s bar for a slap up steak
• Stop into the Billericay Community Cinema and catch an event
• Expand your golfing expertise at the Noak Hill Golf Club
• Go swimming in Billericay Swimming Pool

As you can see, there is something in this area to suit every holidaymaker or tourist. Whether you like drinking, shopping, or touring, you’ll find it in this end of the UK. Lastly, let’s talk about how you get to the town in the first place.

How to get to Billericay?

Lost? It’s no surprise. We’re not sure if these directions to Billericay will help or not, but anything is worth a shot. Here are a few directions or alternatively enter the town’s postcode (CM11 or CM12) into your sat nav or google maps.

By Road

Take the M25 Northeast until you can follow the A12.

By Rail

Billericay train station is on the Greater Anglia line.

By Air

The nearest airport is London Southend Airport.

By Sea

Not a chance unless the London Basin ever floods.

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